Water and power supply for steam irons



Jan. 15, 1957 F. E/FINLAYSON 2,777,226

WATER AND POWER SUPPLY FOR STEAM IRONS Filed Oct. 6, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet l [77 Van to)": Frank E Hh/aysofl,

ff/ls Attorney Jan. 15, 1957 F. FINLAYSON 2,777,226

WATER AND POWER SUPPLY FOR STEAM IRONS Filed Oct. 6, 1954 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 [n ven tor F'rank E FM/ayson,

His Attorney United States Patent Frank E. Finlayson, Ontario, Califi, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application October 6, 1954, Serial No. 460,643

4 Claims. (Cl. 38-47) My invention relates to steam irons and more particularly to arrangements for supplying water and power thereto.

Most present day steam irons are the type in which the water supply is contained in a boiler or a reservoir Within the shell of the iron itself. This, of course, has the advantage that it does not require any means for supplying water from an external source. However, it has the disadvantages that it adds to the weight of the iron and also limits the amount of water which can be contained and hence the amount of steam ironing which can be done without refilling the reservoir or boiler. In accordance with my invention, water is supplied from an external reservoir which retains the advantages of the greater quantity of water and lesser weight of the iron but at the same time minimizes the disadvantages of the connecting water supply conduit. In addition, my improved arrangement provides for a relatively constant rate of Water supply to the steam boiler and also provides for automatically cutting otf the supply of water to the boiler when the iron is up-ended in the position normally employed when the iron is not in use.

It is an object of my invention to provide an improved Water supply system for a steam iron.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved Water supply system including an improved arrangement for mounting whereby a constant head of water is provided on the inlet to the steam iron boiler.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved Water supply system for a steam iron including provision for automatically discontinuing the supply of water to the steam chamber when the iron is on its heel rest.

It is still another object of my invention to provide an improved water supply system for steam irons in which any inconvenience involved in utilizing a conduit from an external Water supply is minimized.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

.The features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

For a better understanding of my invention, reference may be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a view, partly in section, of one form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an elevation view showing a modified form of my invention.

Fig. 4 is an end view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.

In carrying out the objects of my invention, a support is provided whereby an inverted water container may be mounted above the ironing board. The inverted container and the receptacle in which it is placed are arranged so as to provide a constant water level in the re- 2,777,226 Patented Jan. 15, 1957 ceptacle and hence a relatively constant head of water on the inlet to the boiler of the steam iron so that water is supplied thereto at a substantially constant rate. A flexible conduit is employed for conducting water from the receptacle to the steam iron. The electric cord for the iron and the flexible conduit for the water supply can be arranged in twisted relationship to minimize any inconvenience of the flexible water conduit. In one form of my invention the supporting bracket for the Water container has mounted thereon both a coupling to which the flexible water supply conduit may be connected and an electrical receptacle to which the iron cord may be connected.

Referring to the Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown in general form a steam iron 1 which includes a flash boiler 2 in which water is converted to steam by heat supplied by the embedded heating element 3. The steam is supplied through passages within the iron to a plurality of steam ports, one of which is shown at 4. This structure is of a conventional nature Well known in the art, and since it forms no part of my invention, it has not been illustrated in detail.

Water is supplied to the flash boiler 2 through an orifice 5. The orifice 5 may, if desired, be opened and closed by means of a valve 6 controlled by a button 7. However, it will be apparent as this description proceeds that, if desired, the valve 6 may be omitted and the orifice 5 left permanently open.

Water is supplied to the orifice 5 and the boiler 2 from an external sourceof water supply. This external supply includes a water container 3 which is received within a receptacle 9. The water container and receptacle are supported on an ironing board, indicated generally at 10, by a support or bracket 11. The bracket 11 is arranged to be clamped to the ironing board by a screw clamp 12 which engages the underside of the ironing board. A conduit or coupling member 13 is connected to the bottom of the receptacle 9 for conducting water therefrom. In order to supply water from the coupling 13 to the steam iron a flexible conduit 14 is employed. One'end of the conduit 14 is connected to the coupling 13 and the other end is connected to a coupling assembly 15 at the steam iron.

Water is supplied through the coupling assembly 15 to the orifice 5 and the boiler 2 through a pipe or conduit 16. One end of the pipe 16 is connected to a member 17 above the orifice 5 as indicated at 18. The other end of the pipe 16 projects through the cover of the steam iron and includes a threaded end 19. The coupling assembly 15 is of a conventional bayonet type. It includes a member 20 threadedly engaged With the end 19 of the pipe 16. The member 20 includes transversely extending pins 21 which are adapted to engage bayonet slots in the sleeve 22. The sleeve 22 is fixed on a member 23 to which the flexible conduit is connected. To hold the members 20 and 23 in sealing engagement, a spring 24 is provided within the sleeve 22 for urging the member 23 against a gasket 25 interposed between the member 23 and the member 20. Engagement and disengagement of the mating halves of the coupling assembly can, of course, be accomplished in the usual manner typical of bayonet connections.

In order to provide a relatively constant head of water on the orifice 5 at the inlet to the boiler Zso as to secure a relatively constant flow of Water and hence a relatively constant steam rate, the Water container 8 and the water receptacle 9 are arranged to maintain a substantially constant Water level in the receptacle. The water container 8 may be of a type corresponding to the common Mason jar, including a threaded portion 26 at the top or mouth;

gamma position in the receptacle 9. In order to provide a visible indication of the water level in the container 8, the receptacle 9 is provided with a plurality of elongated slots 27. The mouth of the container 8 is closed by a cap or lid 28 which is threaded onto the mouth of the container. The container is, of course, filled in a conventional manner; the cap 23 is then placed on the container to close the top thereof. In order to facilitate placing of the container 8 in the receptacle 9 in its inverted position without undue spillage and yet to afford flow of water from the container when desired, the cap 28 is formed to include a valve 29 therein. The valve is placed within a recess formed by a cup-shaped member 30 which is secured to the cap 28 of the container 8. The valve is biased into engagement with a seat 31 by a spring 32, one end of which engages the member 30 and the other end of which engages the valve 29. Thus the opening in the cap 28 for flow of water is normally closed by the spring bias exerted on the valve 29.

In order to open the valve automatically when the container 8 is placed in its inverted position within the receptacle 3, a pin 33 is provided centrally of cap 28. The pin 33 is guided in openings in the cap and in the member 30, and the valve 29 is fixed to the pin 33 so as to move with the pin. When the filled container 8 is placed in the receptacle 9 and the end of the pin 33 engages the bottom of the receptacle, further descent of the container and its contents under the Weight thereof causes the pin 33 to open the valve 29 and allow water to flow from the container into the receptacle.

Since the inverted container is, of course, closed at its top end and continued flow of water from the container requires the supplying of replacement air through the opening in the cap to the region above the water in the container, the water level is maintained at a substantially fixed height corresponding approximately to the dashed line shown in Fig. 1. When the water level in receptacle 9 falls below the bottom surface of cap 28 as shown in Fig. 1, air can enter container 8 through the valve passage. As soon as a bubble of air enters container 8, an equivalent volume of water descends from the container into receptacle 9, raising the water level slightly, again to seal otf further entry of air into the container. The head of water on the orifice is therefore fixed at a substantially constant amount corresponding approximately to the difference between the height shown by the dashed line and the height of the orifice 5.

In accordance with my invention this constant water level is established by the supporting bracket at a level which is below the position of the orifice 5 when the iron is in its up-ended or at-rest position on its heel rest, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1. Hence, even if the valve 6 is not employed and the orifice 5 is permanently open, no water is supplied to the boiler 2 from the container 8 during such time as the iron is intermittently placed on its heel rest and hence is not in use for actual ironing. In any event, regardless of whether the valve 6 is provided, it is not necessary to manually move the valve to its closed position to cut off flow of steam each time the iron is up-ended for a brief period during the ironing operation. Nevertheless no steam will be discharged during this period and the disadvantages of steam flow during such time as the iron is up-ended are eliminated. It will be apparent that, if desired, the bracket can be made adjustable to as to vary the height of the container 8 and its receptacle 9 and thereby vary the head of water on the orifice and the rate of water supply. However, this adjustment is preferably limited so that in no position can the water level be established'above the height of the orifice in the up-ended position of the iron.

Another form of my invention is shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Corresponding parts have been given the same numerals in Figs. 1 and 2 and in Figs. 3 and 4. The form shown in Figs. 3 and 4 differs from that previously described in that the mounting bracket 11a, corresponding to the bracket 11 in the form previously described, has arranged thereon an electrical receptacle for receiving the plug of the iron cord, a coupling member for the flexible water supply conduit, and a valve for controlling flow of water from the container 8. It diifers further in specifically showing a combined cord and water supply conduit in a spirally twisted arrangement so that only a single unitary flexible structure extending from the iron is involved.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4 it can be seen that an electric convenience receptacle 34 is mounted within an opening in the vertical wall of the bracket 1111. A conventional electrical supply cord 35 having a plug 36 for attachment to a household outlet extends through an insulating bushing 37 which is also mounted in an opening in bracket 11a. The ends of the cord 35 are connected in a conventional manner to terminals in the receptacle 34 so that when the plug 36 is connected to the usual household outlet, power is supplied to the electrical receptacle 34.

Power is supplied to the iron itself through a cord 38, one end of which is connected to terminals within the iron. A plug 39 is provided on the other end of the cord 38, and this plug is adapted to be received within the receptacle 34. Thus the bracket for supporting the water container is also employed to provide a convenience outlet directly at the ironing board reducing the length of cord required on the iron itself.

In the form of invention shown in Figs. 3 and 4, a valve 40 is connected in the conduit 41 through which water is supplied from the receptacle 9. A coupling member 42 on the end of this conduit 41 is mounted in the bracket 11a. One end of the flexible water supply conduit 14 is adapted to be received on the end of the coupling member 42. The other end of the flexible conduit 14 is connected to the coupling assembly 15 in the same manner as in the form previously described. The valve 40 includes an operating handle 43 which extends through the bracket 11a so that the flow of water from the container 8 to the iron can be turned on and off at will. It will be appreciated that where the valve 40 is employed it is unnecessary to include a valve corresponding to the valve 6 in the body of the iron itself.

In order to eliminate the problem of a multiplicity of dangling cords or conduits connected to the iron, the electrical cord 38 and the flexible water supply conduit 14 are, in accordance with my invention, twisted or spiraled into a unitary structure. Thus the user has in effect only one flexible element connected between the cord and the bracket. .Since the cord may be made shorter because of the presence of the receptacle 34 directly at the ironing board, the overall unitary structure is little, if any, more cumbersome than the cord alone employed with conventional irons. While spirally twisting the electric cord and the flexible conduit provides a convenient arrangement for securing a unitary structure, it will be understood that the unitary structure could be secured in other ways, for example, by laying the cord and conduit side by side and overlaying the two with a spiral wrap or braid or by employing a plurality of clips to hold the cord and the conduit together at intervals.

Although for clarity of the remaining structure the electric cord has not been illustrated in the form shown in Figs. 1 and 2, it will be apparent that, if desired, the cord employed with that form of my invention can also be spirally wrapped or otherwise combined with the flexible conduit 14 to provide a unitary assembly. Since no convenience receptacle at the ironing board is there provided, it will, of course, be necessary to have a somewhat greater length of cord extending beyond the flexible conduit in order to reach to the available household receptacle. Although the iron has not been illustrated in its up-ended position in the form shown in Figs. 3 and 4, it will be apparent that the water level in this form of my invention will be similarly related to the location of the orifice in the up-ended position so that the flow of water to the orifice and the boiler of the iron will be automatically cut off when the iron is up-endcd in its rest position.

While I have shown and described specific embodiments of my invention, I do not desire my invention to be limited to the particular construction shown and described, and I intend by the appended claims to cover all modifications Within the spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. The combination of a steam iron and Water supply system therefor comprising a Water receptacle, means for supporting said receptacle on an ironing board in a fixed position with respect to the ironing surface, a water container having an open mouth supported in a fixed inverted position in said receptacle to provide a substantially constant water level in said receptacle as defined by the level of said container mouth, said iron including a flash boiler and an inlet thereto near the front end of said iron, a flexible conduit connected to said receptacle for supplying water therefrom to said inlet, said iron including a heel rest upon which said iron may be up-ended to a generally vertical position on the ironing board when not being used, said supporting means being arranged to maintain said receptacle and said container at a height such that the water level in said receptacle is below the height of said inlet when said iron is up-ended on its heel rest whereby no water is then supplied to said boiler.

2. A steam iron and water system therefor comprising an electrically-heated iron including a flash steam generator therein, said iron being adapted for an ironing operation on a surface at a preselected ironing level, a

.liquid container having an open mouth, means for supporting said container in a fixed inverted position with respect to said receptacle with said open mouth within said receptacle to provide a substantially constant water level in said receptacle, a water supply passage within the iron including an orifice with discharge into said steam generator, and flexible water supply means connecting said receptacle to said water supply passage, whereby a constant water flow rate to said steam generator is provided.

3. A steam iron and water system therefor comprising an electrically-heated iron including a flash steam generator therein, said iron being adapted for an ironing operation on a surface at a preselected ironing level, a

liquid container having an open mouth, means for supporting said container in a fixed inverted position with respect to said receptacle with said open mouth within said receptacle to provide a substantially constant water level in said receptacle, a water supply passage Within the iron including an orifice with discharge into said steam generator, flexible water supply means connecting said receptacle to said water supply passage, and a heel rest for said iron upon which it may be supported in an up-ended position with respect to the ironing surface, said orifice being positioned within said iron at a point above said Water level when said iron is on said heel rest and below said water level when in normal ironing position, whereby water is supplied to said steam generator only when said iron is in operating position on the ironing surface.

4. A steam iron and water system therefor comprising an electrically-heated iron including a flash steam generator therein, said iron being adapted for an ironing operation on a surface at a preselected ironing level, a liquid container having an open mouth, means for supporting said container in a fixed inverted position with respect to said receptacle with said open mouth within said receptacle to provide a substantially constant Water level in said receptacle, a water supply passage within the iron including an orifice with discharge into said steam generator, flexible water supply means connecting said receptacle to said water supply passage, and a heel rest for said iron upon which it may be supported in an up-ended position with respect to the ironing surface, said steam generator being positioned within said iron at a point above said water level when the iron is on said heel rest and below said water level when in normal ironing position, whereby water is supplied to said steam generator only when said iron is in operating position on the ironing surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,237,726 Taylor Aug. 21, 1917 1,909,269 Grobard May 16, 1933 2,146,525 Boiano Feb. 7, 1939 2,302,476 Rubinstein Nov. 17, 1942 2,334,222 Schoell Nov. 16, 1943 2,573,174 Bate Oct. 30, 1951 

